1-No head shots!!! Do not hit anyone in the head! However, if it occurs, the person who was hit in the head decides whether the hit was intentional or not, therefore he decides if it is a do over, or he is dead. (If a fighter consistently making head shots he will be suspended from fighting until deemed safe, however if I a fighter is ducking low or deflecting shots into their head they will be suspended until they are deemed safe by an Elder. 2-No thrusting!!! Do not thrust, poke or jab! (Stepping into the point of someone's shinai is suicide) 3-Gauntlet The gauntlet extends from the bend in the elbow down. If you are hit in the gauntlet it does not count, continue fighting. However, you cannot block with the gauntlet, if you do, then you lose the arm. 4-Ankle Gauntlet The ankle gauntlet extends form the ankle down. If you are hit in the ankle gauntlet it does not count, continue fighting. 5-Power Do not intentionally swing hard! We are out here to have fun and learn, not to hurt people. If you are hit hard, then ask the fighter to watch their power. If you are asked to watch your power then please do so. 6-Back-stab Any hit form behind kills you no matter where or how hard. Please keep in mind that the tap is a courtesy. Accept it and extend the courtesy to others. 7-No Fly-fishing Fly-fishing consists of holding your weapon on the bottom half of the hilt at the beginning of your swing. 8-Taking hits When you get hit, think about the hit. Would it have cleaved you? Or would it have just drawn blood? A cleave is when two or more inches of the blade contact your body. Drawing blood is when less than two inches of the blade contact your body. Note that this does not in any way, shape or form imply power. (This is an honor system determine yourself dead or alive based on you observations both shots can be consider legal because it’s nice not to get hit hard) 9-Loss of limb When you lose an arm tuck it behind your back. When you lose a leg either drag the leg or hop on your other leg. When you lose two limbs you are dead. 10-Cleave/Cut Standard shinai blades of 4 planks or a shinai with 3 planks or more have the cleave ability which means if you are hit in the same limb by two seperate strikes you are dead. 2 planks weapons do not cleave. 11-Crushing damage Blunt weapons such as maces or hammers and even axes that are deemed safe have crushing attack which reduces gauntlets from the wrist to the fingers. 12-Hand blocks If you are fighting one-handed and you use your off-hand to defend your torso or limbs and if gets hit anywhere including your gauntlets you lose it. 13-Grappling Grabbing a weapon or a fighter during a battle is not allowed. 14-Special Weapons All special weapons need to be approved by an Elder and all fighters using specials need to be cleared. 15-Newbie Newbies must be deemed safe by an Elder. 16-Use of the Tennis Courts is not allowed Jarriet & I (Steve) just renewed our permit for the use of the park & we have been instructed that the Tennis Courts are off-limits. 17-No Alcohol & Drugs Permitted Under no circumstances will the possesion or use of Alcohol or Drugs be allowed at Shinai. Thank you.